Seven days along the northern edge of the archipelago, where a yacht can sail closer to a pole than anywhere else on the planet.
Glacier-carved peaks give way to muted buttes and then to the barren expanse of sea ice within a few miles, weathered by the relentless action of ice against rock. Only a few places in north Greenland and Russia sit closer to the North Pole, and they are beset almost year round with tenacious ice that thwarts all but the most powerful icebreakers. By far the largest wilderness area of Europe, the archipelago has a land area of about 24,721 square miles, close to the size of the Republic of Ireland, with 60 percent of the land under ice. Norway has held sovereignty here since 1925, under the international Spitsbergen Treaty, and the islands carry a population of just over 2,600 across four small settlements. Reindeer travelled hundreds of miles over a frozen sea to reach Svalbard centuries ago, and have called it home ever since. An estimated 3,000 polar bears outnumber the people who live here, which is why Svalbard is often called the polar bear capital of the world.
The voyage begins in Longyearbyen and heads out along the archipelago's western coast toward Alkhornet. Wildlife you may encounter here is never guaranteed, since Svalbard is wild and its animals move on their own terms, but these waters are known for arctic fox, Svalbard reindeer, walrus, Atlantic puffin, beluga whale and polar bear. For many captains and crews bringing an expedition yacht to Svalbard, this is the first time they have cruised through bear country, and the first two days set the pace the rest of the week will keep.
This stretch of coast holds some of the richest concentrations of marine mammals in the archipelago, and the route each day is decided by where the ice and the wildlife are. Zodiacs work the water slowly beneath the glacier faces, close enough for good photographs while keeping a respectful distance from any animals nearby.
Svalbard has been home to Arctic research since the First International Polar Year in 1883, and that tradition continues at Ny-Ålesund, one of the world's northernmost settlements and an Arctic research station. The final two days work the quieter inner arms of Krossfjorden, depending on ice and weather, before the yacht heads south for Longyearbyen and the end of the week.
West and north from Longyearbyen through Isfjorden and Forlandsundet to the glacier fronts of Kongsfjorden and Ny-Ålesund, then south again.
"An estimated 3,000 polar bears share these islands with just over 2,600 people, across four small settlements."
Svalbard · Round trip from LongyearbyenA horn of rock over the entrance to Isfjorden, a seabird colony on its faces and deep green tundra beneath it grazed by Svalbard reindeer. The guest boards in Longyearbyen, the yacht comes alongside, and the first evening is spent heading out along the coast with the guide to begin the search for wildlife.
Cruising in Zodiacs is the polar version of a game drive on safari. Set off with your guide to explore Svalbard's coasts in search of wildlife. Every shoreline bay presents possibilities to see seals, reindeer, arctic fox, nesting seabirds, or the phantom of the ice, the polar bear.
The warming influence of the last vestiges of the Gulf Stream keeps this coast open each summer. Walrus, beluga whale, and bearded seal are among twenty types of marine mammals that may be encountered along the channel, worked by Zodiac wherever ice, weather and wildlife allow it on the day.
Tre Kroner above Kongsbreen and Kronebreen, three peaks over the glacier fronts at the head of Kongsfjorden. Colossal glaciers and vast stretches of frozen tundra give the day an otherworldly scale, the water worked slowly by Zodiac beneath the ice.
Ny-Ålesund, the northernmost permanent settlement in the world, the mast Amundsen used to launch the airship Norge in 1926. A large bust of Roald Amundsen commemorates the first airship flight over the North Pole, and the launching tower remains on the outskirts of town. A well-stocked shop provides a chance to send a postcard from the most northerly post office in the world.
Lilliehöökbreen and the kayaks, Signehamna, a quiet inner arm of the fjord system. The surrounding ice floes often attract walrus, ringed seals, and polar bears, particularly in early summer, and a last day is given to watching for them from the boat before the yacht turns south.
Breakfast aboard as the yacht comes back alongside in Longyearbyen, then farewells on the pier before the transfer to the airport. The last of the tundra and the seabird faces of the archipelago's coast fall astern on the way in.
New Zealander Rob McCallum is the co-founder of EYOS Expeditions, widely regarded as the world’s foremost provider of marine-based private expedition services. He is a former conservation manager and author and an accomplished polar and tropical guide. Together he and his team have planned and managed over 1200 safe and successful expeditions to the most remote and pristine parts of our planet.
An acknowledged expert in deep-water submersible operations, he was directly responsible for the overall design, management and leadership of the record-breaking Five Deeps Expedition, regarded as “the most ambitious exploration expedition in a century” (Capt. Don Walsh Ph.D). This achievement has opened the pathway to the last frontier of exploration on Earth; the deep ocean. These expeditions add to the long list of world firsts and world records achieved by EYOS Expeditions clients. In 2021 Rob dived to the deepest point on Earth; Challenger Deep (10,925 m).
Rob consults regularly to clients in the private and commercial worlds about expedition vessels. This includes the partnership between EYOS Expeditions and Damen Shipyards on the design, build and operation of the SeaXplorer range of purpose-built expedition yachts.
In addition to working with exclusive clients interested in exploring beyond the beaten path, Rob has consulted for the National Geographic Society, Discovery Channel, the Norwegian Navy, BBC, NHK and CNN. He is a licensed aircraft pilot, a PADI Dive Master, an award-winning Fellow of the Explorers Club (NY) and a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society in London. He is a regular contributor to both industry and mainstream media. He is a Trustee for Nekton Mission, a founder of Yachts for Science, and has just completed the maximum term on the Executive Committee of IAATO. He has worked in Antarctica for over 25 years.
EYOS co-founder Tim Soper has spent his life exploring the world’s wildest places by sea and is an expert at planning and managing superyacht expeditions.
Growing up sailing and diving on the Devon coast of Southwest England Tim developed a keen interest in the ocean, which led to a degree in marine biology and oceanography. As a professional diver, guide and expedition leader, he voyaged throughout the polar regions and tropics, gaining a comprehensive knowledge of extraordinary destinations worldwide.
He has managed some of the most extreme superyacht expeditions ever completed, guiding clients to the most inaccessible and beautiful locations for remarkable experiences. These include the record setting voyage of Arctic P to Antarctica’s Ross Sea, navigating further south than any other vessel in history and received BOAT International’s Voyager award. He has led numerous voyages through the Northwest Passage, skiing expeditions to Antarctica and Greenland, and has completely circumnavigated both polar regions, and has twice reached the geographic north pole. In the tropics he has guided expeditions to dive the reefs of some of the most remote and pristine oceanic islands, never before visited by superyachts.
The yacht will be alongside in Longyearbyen in July. From there it is seven days of glacier fronts, walrus haul-outs and the long Arctic light along the northern edge of the archipelago. Rob, Tim and the rest of the team will be on the pier.